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I would love to see a mall version of any PotP figure, but as has been established, they are staying the same as . I imagine we will probably see more things like reissues of old figures at exorbitant prices. Since God Fire Convoy is getting a re-released, I'd imagine the next would be perhaps Convoy from the Micron Legend series (Maybe a Convoy, Jetfire, Magnus set?) or perhaps an original Victory Saber re-release? Things like that.

I seriously doubt they would release Black Shadow (from TR Sky Shadow) or Sixknight (From TR Quickswitch) seeing as how neither one is accurate to the original.

o.supreme wrote:I would love to see a mall version of any PotP figure, but as has been established, they are staying the same as . I imagine we will probably see more things like reissues of old figures at exorbitant prices. Since God Fire Convoy is getting a re-released, I'd imagine the next would be perhaps Convoy from the Micron Legend series (Maybe a Convoy, Jetfire, Magnus set?) or perhaps an original Victory Saber re-release? Things like that.

I seriously doubt they would release Black Shadow (from TR Sky Shadow) or Sixknight (From TR Quickswitch) seeing as how neither one is accurate to the original.

I'm still holding onto irrationality. I'm hoping for some crazy reason, takara decides to redeco sky Shadow as thunderwing and chop off his horns.

Since Takara will still be doing some of the exclusives, I wonder if they will redo Primal down the road as Primal Prime That would be something cool to have happen

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Since Takara will still be doing some of the exclusives, I wonder if they will redo Primal down the road as Primal Prime

That would be more Hasbro doing it. Its a Hasbro idea and was only sold in Japan as a USA edition.

Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

o.supreme wrote:I would love to see a mall version of any PotP figure, but as has been established, they are staying the same as . I imagine we will probably see more things like reissues of old figures at exorbitant prices. Since God Fire Convoy is getting a re-released, I'd imagine the next would be perhaps Convoy from the Micron Legend series (Maybe a Convoy, Jetfire, Magnus set?) or perhaps an original Victory Saber re-release? Things like that.

I seriously doubt they would release Black Shadow (from TR Sky Shadow) or Sixknight (From TR Quickswitch) seeing as how neither one is accurate to the original.

I guess going through the Armada Trilogy Convoy combinations would not be a bad thing. But if God Fire Convoy is anything to go buy, the prices will not be very friendly.

Not sure a $300+ dollar Encore Micron Legend Magna Jet Convoy is all that desirable.

Overcracker wrote:Not sure a $300+ dollar Encore Micron Legend Magna Jet Convoy is all that desirable.

Oh I agree completely, but like you I am just going off of trends. I'm glad I got my tax refund because 2 titans coming roughly the same time (Metroplex reissue and Grand Max) are going to set me back quite a bit.

I really like God Fire Convoy (makes me wish I would have kept my original RiD Optimus & Ultra Magnus), but no way, not for $270, no matter what cool new *features* it may have. Its not desirable to me, but somebody at must have thought it would be a good idea. I imagine the same would be for Micron Legend, they could wait until 2022 (4 years) for the 20th anniversary, but who knows what the toy market will be like by then.

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

My gut wants to say "yes", but I'd have to think about what it was as it probably was a one-off or rare instance.

ZeroWolf wrote:I don't have much hope for a buster and hydra exclusive, I think a tt mall exclusive will be more than a different coat of paint

They can sweeten the pot by adding proper Prime Masters of Hydra and Buster with engine backpacks.

Overcracker wrote:I guess going through the Armada Trilogy Convoy combinations would not be a bad thing. But if God Fire Convoy is anything to go buy, the prices will not be very friendly.

Not sure a $300+ dollar Encore Micron Legend Magna Jet Convoy is all that desirable.

God Fire Convoy was released because it's a figure that would be very difficult to do better. It's a step below an MP and miles above anything Hasbro would make in Generations. However, Armada and Energon Primes could definitely be improved on in Generations, especially super-pants Prime and his self transforming trailer.

Emerje

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

My gut wants to say "yes", but I'd have to think about what it was as it probably was a one-off or rare instance.

Excluding Masterpiece Sunstorm and Acid Storm, the Classic Autobot Targetmasters, Deadlock...

Nope, can't really find any, usually it's the other way around.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

My gut wants to say "yes", but I'd have to think about what it was as it probably was a one-off or rare instance.

Excluding Masterpiece Sunstorm and Acid Storm, the Classic Autobot Targetmasters, Deadlock...

Nope, can't really find any, usually it's the other way around.

And even then, not all of those count. We are asking about takara exclusives and not only is Acid storm not exclusive, its not even a Takara rendition but a Hasbro one, just like Primal Prime was.

And Deadlock is not homaging a previous Hasbro toy.

Plus, the legends autobot targetmasters we got recently were not exclusives in Japan. You could have sais the recent noble/savage and black shuffler redecos too, it all fits in the same bill but none of those were exclusives.

And Hasbro also had their own MP Sunstorm, so while the deco was different, it wasnt an exclusive character redeco Hasbro didnt get.

So yeah, looks like none. So, if Primal Prime turns out to be a TTMall exclusive, that would be the first time ever.

Emerje wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:I don't have much hope for a buster and hydra exclusive, I think a tt mall exclusive will be more than a different coat of paint

They can sweeten the pot by adding proper Prime Masters of Hydra and Buster with engine backpacks.

Overcracker wrote:I guess going through the Armada Trilogy Convoy combinations would not be a bad thing. But if God Fire Convoy is anything to go buy, the prices will not be very friendly.

Not sure a $300+ dollar Encore Micron Legend Magna Jet Convoy is all that desirable.

God Fire Convoy was released because it's a figure that would be very difficult to do better. It's a step below an MP and miles above anything Hasbro would make in Generations. However, Armada and Energon Primes could definitely be improved on in Generations, especially super-pants Prime and his self transforming trailer.

Emerje

Whether they can do them better in a current line or not is not the point. Takara isn't really interested in bettering the PotP line or pushing out any molds Hasbro hasn't already made as far as we can tell currently. Releasing older figures / characters (MP) at exclusive prices is what they seem to want now.

While Armada Prime is a pretty solid candidate for the PotP Leader Class Evolution concept Takara would probably not do it unless Hasbro decides to do it first (sans the self-transforming trailer).

Energon and Cybertron are kind of left in the wind, as their super modes don't really fit with the current gimmicks. You could argue CW combiners could be used for Energon Prime's Prime Units but still...

Yet releasing older figures as part of the Encore Line is 100% Takara's style, specially ones for which they own the designs and are a conceivably good source of income.

Still not sure how big a market for such re-releases at such price points there would be outside of Japan.

I'm guessing if God Fire Convoy does well enough, they may consider re-issuing other things. I hope they go back and re-re-reissue Star Convoy first.

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

By George, I think I've got it!

The G2 Masterpieces: Lambor and Bumble. Both the original G2 Sideswipe and Bumblebee toys were Hasbro-only that never saw release in Japan, yet Japan went and made Japanese-only MPs for them.

Same with the red MP Bumble. Based on a Hasbro-original deco of the Bumblebee toy mold that wasn't released in Japan back in the day, yet Japan made it into an MP.

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

By George, I think I've got it!

The G2 Masterpieces: Lambor and Bumble. Both the original G2 Sideswipe and Bumblebee toys were Hasbro-only that never saw release in Japan, yet Japan went and made Japanese-only MPs for them.

Same with the red MP Bumble. Based on a Hasbro-original deco of the Bumblebee toy mold that wasn't released in Japan back in the day, yet Japan made it into an MP.

True, but lines like Masterpiece are more... experimental with the locally obscure shall we say? Legends is more conservative in that aspect, Deadlock being based on IDW Drift's old name is the furthest TakaraTomy has strayed from the beaten path.

Overcracker wrote:I'm guessing if God Fire Convoy does well enough, they may consider re-issuing other things. I hope they go back and re-re-reissue Star Convoy first.

I was going to call you on that, because I had the Star Convoy reissue from 2005 (ish??) but I see what you did . If they did a set with Grandus & Sky Garry, that might be woth looking into. Same with Dai Atlus (all 3 robots to make Big Powered), and Victory Saber as I don't think any of those have ever been released as Encore series.

Overcracker wrote:Whether they can do them better in a current line or not is not the point. Takara isn't really interested in bettering the PotP line or pushing out any molds Hasbro hasn't already made as far as we can tell currently. Releasing older figures / characters (MP) at exclusive prices is what they seem to want now.

While Armada Prime is a pretty solid candidate for the PotP Leader Class Evolution concept Takara would probably not do it unless Hasbro decides to do it first (sans the self-transforming trailer).

Energon and Cybertron are kind of left in the wind, as their super modes don't really fit with the current gimmicks. You could argue CW combiners could be used for Energon Prime's Prime Units but still...

Yet releasing older figures as part of the Encore Line is 100% Takara's style, specially ones for which they own the designs and are a conceivably good source of income.

Still not sure how big a market for such re-releases at such price points there would be outside of Japan.

I'm guessing if God Fire Convoy does well enough, they may consider re-issuing other things. I hope they go back and re-re-reissue Star Convoy first.

I think we're going to be disagreeing on this one. The only reason why God Fire Convoy is being released now is because Takara Tomy has been wanting to release one for several years now. They ultimately passed on the rumored MP, probably because when they did their fan choice pole he came in at #5 with only 4.9% of the votes (Micron Convoy came in at #2 making a future figure a safe bet). That could be interpreted as a lack of interest in an MP, but it can also be seen as fans not seeing a need for a new figure which appears to be how TT interpreted it. And secondly he's riding the coat tails of the God Ginrai box set, and at mass retail to boot.

I don't believe this is a reboot of the Encore line, but rather the name being used for lack of anything better to call it. It's so unlike other Encores having been completely cartoon redecoed (and not into a new character) and given a new sound chip. It's a great figure made even better and there are few figures from the time you could do that with.

Going back to the poll, Micron Convoy ranking second (24.3%) sent a clear message that Japanese fans want the figure remade, they are not going to be content with a reissue of a very mediocre figure. By comparison the better Grand Convoy from Superlink was way down at #9 with only 1.5%. Japan is done with brickformers. I could see them doing an Encore Galaxy Convoy, he still stands well as a modern figure.

And yeah, I realize the poll is old, but I think it's still relevant, though they can take two characters off of it now. I doubt the order would change if they did the poll again.

Emerje

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Is there any precedent for Takara doing an exclusive based on a Hasbro exclusive toy?

By George, I think I've got it!

The G2 Masterpieces: Lambor and Bumble. Both the original G2 Sideswipe and Bumblebee toys were Hasbro-only that never saw release in Japan, yet Japan went and made Japanese-only MPs for them.

Same with the red MP Bumble. Based on a Hasbro-original deco of the Bumblebee toy mold that wasn't released in Japan back in the day, yet Japan made it into an MP.

He's being a stickler about the Japanese exclusive part. I think red Bee is the only one that sort of works.

Emerje

Tho a point can be made that both Hasbro and TakaraTomy look at what figures and characters are unique to each other's markets (Hasbro more so). Not necessarily as exclusives, but the main precedent has already been so it's not that far of a leap towards that.

I still say Black Shadow has a decent shot, I mean CW Armada Megatron did, despite looking less like the original than Black Shadow does.

Interesting to hear the results of that poll.

Thinking back on all the Trilogy lines (referring to them that way because of my lack of knowledge about their Japanese equivalent)... Out of all those molds, I'd most like to see Energon Prime re-used to make that fantastic black version in a FULL SIZE version.

I guess his name was Grand Scourge Hyper Mode.

That was a beautiful figure. Only disappointment was his size (and given, the little chubby belly on the un-combined cab mode.)

I wouldn't scoff at combiner limbs for the Combiner Wars style version, either. But I digress. Guessing those are very low on Takara's Legends line priority list.

Thinking of Black Shadow, I hope to goodness they get around a retool as Thunderwing. For the POTP gimmick, the whole theme of the line is really build just for him. He's the only memorable, iconic, epic, cover-of-the-comic sweeping Decepticon wielding the matrix that jumps out and/or sticks in my memory. I mean the plot line was "Matrix Quest."

Given, I'm sure someone will list 20 other times some baddy has had the matrix, but none of them are memorable to me — at all.

I don't mind waiting, Hasbro/Takara. Just somebody get that thing out in the next year or two and I'll be happy: Thunderwing with a big ole tainted yellow and green matrix in the box.

gothsaurus wrote:Back on the topic of Legends exclusives...

Besides Buster and Hydra, I'm really hoping they crank out a new pair of Artfire and Stepper. They have the molds in the factory to do it (ie. the new Inferno and Jazz)... plus they've quite deliberately left out the targetmaster partners from their characters in all of the recent Takara releases...

Huh? Transformers United Stepper/Ricochet and Artfire came with their Targetmaster partners, "Nebulon/Nightstick" and "Nightstick", respectively. In fact, Artfire even came with a second one named "Spark" to give to Transformers United Rodimus Prime as a stand-in for his G1 Targetmaster, "Firebolt." Masterpiece Artfire came with Targetmaster Nightstick as well. I'm pretty sure Takara considers Stepper/Ricochet and Artfire and their respective Targetmasters "covered" for the foreseeable future.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

gothsaurus wrote:Back on the topic of Legends exclusives...

Besides Buster and Hydra, I'm really hoping they crank out a new pair of Artfire and Stepper. They have the molds in the factory to do it (ie. the new Inferno and Jazz)... plus they've quite deliberately left out the targetmaster partners from their characters in all of the recent Takara releases...

Huh? Transformers United Stepper/Ricochet and Artfire came with their Targetmaster partners, "Nebulon/Nightstick" and "Nightstick", respectively. In fact, Artfire even came with a second one named "Spark" to give to Transformers United Rodimus Prime as a stand-in for his G1 Targetmaster, "Firebolt." Masterpiece Artfire came with Targetmaster Nightstick as well. I'm pretty sure Takara considers Stepper/Ricochet and Artfire and their respective Targetmasters "covered" for the foreseeable future.

He's talking about making Stepper and Ricochet out of Power of the Primes Inferno and Jazz. And he's talking about their Targetmaster partners not being used in Legends like all of the other ones were.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:He's being a stickler about the Japanese exclusive part.

Why wouldnt I be, are we discussing possible TTMall exclusives or mainline figures?

Anyways, green ratchet is a good example. It was exclusive in Japan and homaged a Hasbro toy and concept (granted, movie ratchet is not a niche redeco of soething else). Anyways you slice it, Primal prime from takara would be a first in some way and something I dont see them doing.

emerje wrote:
I think we're going to be disagreeing on this one. The only reason why God Fire Convoy is being released now is because Takara Tomy has been wanting to release one for several years now. They ultimately passed on the rumored MP, probably because when they did their fan choice pole he came in at #5 with only 4.9% of the votes (Micron Convoy came in at #2 making a future figure a safe bet). That could be interpreted as a lack of interest in an MP, but it can also be seen as fans not seeing a need for a new figure which appears to be how TT interpreted it. And secondly he's riding the coat tails of the God Ginrai box set, and at mass retail to boot.

I can see Takara itching to revisit the character in some form, and the MP poll sort of killing that avenue so then moving on to a re-release with some new paint and sound box as a consolation option.

But how does that stop them from re-issuing anything else under the Encore banner?

It's not like Encore was officially dead. Just because they had not used the line name in a while doesn't mean they wouldn't ever again. Or they can't bring back other molds also with more cartoon accurate paint jobs and other enhancements if they wanted to under the line name.

However expecting new molds in PotP from Takara seems a bit of a stretch considering what we know.

I think the main point here is how well Fire Convoy does. That may push them to release other figures in similar price points under the Encore line.

Overcracker wrote:But how does that stop them from re-issuing anything else under the Encore banner?

It's not like Encore was officially dead. Just because they had not used the line name in a while doesn't mean they wouldn't ever again. Or they can't bring back other molds also with more cartoon accurate paint jobs and other enhancements if they wanted to under the line name.

There's nothing stopping the, I just don't think there's any reason. The Japanese releases were already very cartoon accurate and I doubt they'd be able to get the prices below the current aftermarket. I think it makes sense to just make something new with modern engineering than go for another encore of a figure that wasn't all that great to begin with. Japanese fans want a new Micron Convoy, an Encore wouldn't be particularly satisfying.

However expecting new molds in PotP from Takara seems a bit of a stretch considering what we know.

That's not what I said. What I said was:

It's a step below an MP and miles above anything Hasbro would make in Generations. However, Armada and Energon Primes could definitely be improved on in Generations, especially super-pants Prime and his self transforming trailer.

I was talking about the hypothetical remake in Power of the Primes that people have been asking for and would fit in perfectly with the Leader Evolution gimmick. Basically I'm saying the only reason Encore God Fire Convoy exists is because it can't be done better elsewhere. And the only reason they put it under the Encore banner was because it doesn't really fit anywhere else. It's a reissue, but also kinda not. A true Encore would have been a straight rerelease of the original. It's been 5 whole years since the last Encore (Fort Max) back in 2013, I don't see any reason to believe this is the return of the line, just a one time thing.

Plus Hasbro's current design team has a thing for Armada.

I think the main point here is how well Fire Convoy does. That may push them to release other figures in similar price points under the Encore line.

I'm really not sure about that. There's a lot of figures that they would have definitely done already in Encore if they wanted to (like the Seacons), but ending the line the way they did makes it seem like it wasn't worth the resource investment anymore. I think they're done with G1 reissues, they've already done the popular Beast Wars reissues, and there isn't a whole lot of need for post 2000 reissues.

Emerje

william-james88 wrote:

Emerje wrote:He's being a stickler about the Japanese exclusive part.

Why wouldnt I be, are we discussing possible TTMall exclusives or mainline figures?

I didn't say it was a bad thing, just that it was your criteria.

Emerje